Ford pass app losing remote start?

[780]

For vehicles without a FordPass Connect modem, the following features will no longer be available in FordPass:

• Journeys
• App Catalog
• Vehicle Health Alerts, including Scheduled Health Reports
• Certain Map capabilities, such as:
  • Point of Interest search for Fuel and Parking*******
  • Pin my spot
  • Send directions to SYNC Navigation from FordPass

Vehicles with an activated FordPass Connect modem, the following features will no longer be available in FordPass and are not available in the vehicle:

• Journeys
• App Catalog
• Remote Vehicle Setup (this feature is one time use prior to delivery for select vehicles)
• Certain Map capabilities, such as:
  • Point of Interest search for Fuel and Parking
  • Pin my spot
  • Send directions to SYNC Navigation from FordPass

I believe the bold and underlined text (can we not highlight text?) is what people are confusing with remote start. I did the same thing when I first read it. The I reread it and caught my error.

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[FrankThompson]

I’m wondering if part of the reason for the feature removal is vehicles with 3G modems. Most service providers are in the process of deactivating their 3G networks to “encourage” upgrades.

I got a similar email about my Pacifica, though they have a 4G upgrade for some models.

I don't think that is the case here, but it is a worrying thing that we all need to be aware of. our Trucks I believe user 4g modems. but my '17 had a 3g modem and I knew that in the next year or so it would lose all that functionality. When 4G goes away, you will lose all that functionality (via an app, not your FOB), but also any internet connected features INSIDE the truck (like wifi)

How any of these car manufacturers get away whiteout making the modems modular so they can swap them out (even for a price) when the old modem tech can't be used, boggles my mind.

It's planned obsolescence. I knew a Genesis owner who before their factory 3yr warranty was up, they lost all their "remote" functionality and in car internet functionality due to 3G going away.

There should be pro-consumer laws protecting us from these scenarios (and note that you agree to this planned obsolescence when you buy the truck)

 

[UGADawg96]

You'll be on your 2nd or 3rd truck by the time they turn off 4G/LTE.

 

[FrankThompson]

You'll be on your 2nd or 3rd truck by the time they turn off 4G/LTE.

Still no reason the modem couldn't be modular and the owner at that time couldn't take advantage of those features. It has the benefit of being an additional revenue stream for the car makers.

Just because I may or may not own my truck anymore doesn't mean it is useless. Also, there are some that have "splurged" and bought a truck they plan to keep for a very long time.

 

[Bryan Simon]

Still no reason the modem couldn't be modular and the owner at that time couldn't take advantage of those features. It has the benefit of being an additional revenue stream for the car makers.

Just because I may or may not own my truck anymore doesn't mean it is useless. Also, there are some that have "splurged" and bought a truck they plan to keep for a very long time.

I still have the pickup I bought 43 years ago
Recently sold one I have had for 15 yr
Both bought new
I’ve had the 98 k1500 10 years and plan on hanging onto it
The 21 F 150, I will have until it is passed on when I no longer have a worldly need for it.

I pretty much maintain that if you buy a vehicle with features,you bought those features and did not borrow them. They should stay with the vehicle, or at least be upgradeable

 

[gendibal]

Still no reason the modem couldn't be modular and the owner at that time couldn't take advantage of those features. It has the benefit of being an additional revenue stream for the car makers.

Just because I may or may not own my truck anymore doesn't mean it is useless. Also, there are some that have "splurged" and bought a truck they plan to keep for a very long time.

Ironically, we've been through this before with the deactivation of the Nextel frequencies, then the 2G CDMA network, now all the 3G bands.

The reason for past delays was public safety concerns, and I've seen little notification from providers about the 3G shutdown, probably because providers are busy already trying to push 5G...

 

[don.mullins]

You'll be on your 2nd or 3rd truck by the time they turn off 4G/LTE.

I kept my last truck 19 years. I expect the same from this one.

 

[tbinmd]

AT&T shut down 3G in Feb of this year, T-mobile will shutdown its 3G in July.
I have non-ford car that is getting it's modem upgraded, once parts come in. They been on order since Dec 21.

 

[FrankThompson]

AT&T shut down 3G in Feb of this year, T-mobile will shutdown its 3G in July.
I have non-ford car that is getting it's modem upgraded, once parts come in. They been on order since Dec 21.

Glad to hear some companies are doing that. Hopefully the rest follow suit.

 

[UGADawg96]

Still no reason the modem couldn't be modular and the owner at that time couldn't take advantage of those features. It has the benefit of being an additional revenue stream for the car makers.

Just because I may or may not own my truck anymore doesn't mean it is useless. Also, there are some that have "splurged" and bought a truck they plan to keep for a very long time.

I kept my last truck 19 years. I expect the same from this one.

4G/LTE will be around for another 20 years.

And if you keep your 2021/2022 F150 for 20 years, it'll be a beater/antique and probably a few of the creature comforts will have stopped working that at that point you may or may not want to fix.

On our 2013 outback, the remote start doesn't work anymore and nor does the 12v plug in the console. And on our 2010 odyssey, the aux input doesn't work on the stereo anymore. Not exactly apples to oranges, but these cars are ~10 years old and are starting to have things not work anymore. And while yes, parts are probably available to fix them, the cost at this point isn't work spending the cash on.

So if in 20 years, the 4G/LTE modem becomes obsolete and I can't remote start this truck, if I still have it, I'm not sure I would treat it any different than our current ~10 year old vehicles. I'm probably more worried about the hybrid system lasting 20 years than anything else. Could the battery even be replaced in years 15-20 if it lasts that long. Would I care or would I want to upgrade to a gen2 PB after year 10 of ownership. Who knows. Some of us may not be on this planet in 10+ or 20+ years.

ymmv

 

[sippy2]

Keep in mind Ford bailed on their 3G supported services over a year before AT&T (their supplier). So they can and will bail when it makes more sense for them than it does us. Not anti Ford...thats just business.

 

[texski]

Ford has been testing the waters for Subscription Services, where you pay for features like increased horsepower or heated seats. I saw this on YAA's (Your Automotive Advocate) channel where they reference auto industry sources. It is amazing to see how many people were willing to pay for features that were installed on their car. It wouldn't surprise me if they find a way to start charging for popular features like remote start.

Ford continues to raise prices and remove features. It appears that GM and Dodge are doing much better than Ford filling their retail orders. I guess the other 2 have found a way to manage the supply constraints, while Ford continues to stick it to their customers and squeeze every penny ... sorry, rant adverted for now.

Consumer Reports makes it clear that manufacturers like Ford use apps to track every bit of data and then SELL it to 3rd party vendors. I fully believe they are looking for every possible way to monetize these modems and protect their bottom line.

As far as some of the navigation features through FordPass, I couldn't get them to work. There is so little on the FordPass app that is beneficial to me that I did not sign the latest Agreement to subjugate my private data to them. FordPass is dead to me.

 

[hotrodmex]

It appears that GM and Dodge are doing much better than Ford filling their retail orders. I guess the other 2 have found a way to manage the supply constraints

By being among the first to start stripping features, and selling less units overall. And they're doing a bit better, but not much.

 

[Ziggy73]

This.

And make no mistake, they have data on every keystroke you make on the app. If no one is using a feature, no use keeping it in the code and having to maintain it.

p.s. YOU ARE NOT LOSING YOUR REMOTE START! IT EXPLICITLY SAYS THIS IS BEING RETAINED!

My thoughts about them removing it eventually if not now has mostly to do with Chevrolet and other competitors charging for theirs monthly. If they are successful in charge a substantial amount for their services Ford will follow suit eventually I would imagine, seeing money being lost is not fun for their part.

 

[Whiskey]

I was pushing Ford for the Bluetooth Pro Power Gen start but now Ford informed me that they will be removing all Bluetooth control functionality from FordPass. They lady on the phone stated they are realizing several folks dropping the app. due to the changes proposed. FordPass is truly almost a worthless app. I had hopes but not no more. Maybe some genius out there will come up with something that allows us PowerBoost owners the ability to start our Pro Power Generator without having to go outside the camper.

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